OECS COMMISSION SPECIAL REPORT: RESPONSE TO HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA
+1 758 455 6327 http://oecs.int Castries, Saint Lucia oecsc@oecs.int
OECS Vulnerability to Climate Change The Eastern Caribbean islands have been identified as being among the most vulnerable in the world and they are considered disaster hotspots due to geographic location, natural features, topography, size and capacity. These vulnerabilities are compounded by both rapid-onset and temporary events, such as storms and flooding, and slow-onset processes like land erosion and changes in the global water cycle. This includes: marine inundation of low-lying areas, coral bleaching, saline intrusion into terrestrial systems and degrading ecosystems. These are further compounded by species shifts in terrestrial systems, habitat loss, climate induced diseases and the introduction of alien invasive species. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also states that for the regions where Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are located, significant changes are expected in average temperature, rainfall and sea level rise. Extreme weather events like hurricanes can have a significant impact on small fragile developing economies because
That we are small does not make us insignificant; that we are insular does not make us isolated... Our challenge is not only climate change fueled hurricanes but also in the longer term, other equally damaging implications such as sea level rise, coralbleaching and severe drought. (Dr Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS Commission)
repair of damage to property, businesses and infrastructure must become the priority over ongoing programmes and projects. Likewise, industries such as tourism and agriculture which are usually the main income earners become less productive. In addition to the loss of life, the damage to rehabilitative services for physical and mental health requirements can be severely impacted. These realities have been experienced in the Caribbean with the passage of two category 5 storms which developed within days of each other causing catastrophic damage in some countries of the OECS.
4 Deaths US$3.47 B Damage
Irma
1 Death US$209M Damage
1 Death US$130M Damage
The Storms Hurricanes Irma and Maria were 31 Deaths US$1.3 B two category 5 hurricanes that Damage affected the Caribbean in September 2017 leaving a US$40M Damage significant trail of destruction in their paths before moving to the Greater Antilles and North America. Irma formed on 30th August with highest winds recorded at 295 km/h. Total damage from Irma is estimated at US$64.2 billion, making it the 5th costliest storm in recorded history with 144 fatalities. Maria formed less than three weeks later on September 16th with 280km/h winds; claimed an estimated 547 lives and US$91.95 billion in damage ranking it 3rd on the list of costliest storms and 10th on the most intensive list, with Irma ranking 14th.
Maria
September 6, 2017 Irma: 5th costliest 14th most intensive
12 days later... Maria: 3rd costliest 10th most intensive
The Destruction Hurricane Irma swept through the Caribbean, causing catastrophic damage on September 5 affecting OECS Member States of Antigua and Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands (BVI) and St. Kitts and Nevis. Irma’s devastation left 6 people dead; four in the BVI, one in Anguilla and one in Barbuda in addition to several hundred in need of medical care. The scale of destruction was steep with an estimated US$4 billion in damage. Most significant was the total destruction of Barbuda which was left barely habitable with 99% of structures at least partly damaged. There was no electricity, phone or water services. Residents had to be transported to Antigua for safety and from the threat of Hurricane Jose.
Roseau, Dominica September 2017
“The damage is complete. For the first time in 300 years, there’s not a single living person on the island of Barbuda. A civilization that has existed on that island for over 300 years has now been extinguished.” Sir Ronald Sanders (Antigua)
On Anguilla, 90% of all government buildings were severely affected and 80-90% of the island's schools were damaged. Electricity and phone lines were disrupted, hospitals had limited capabilities and there was no running water. In the British Virgin Islands, 90% of buildings had structural or total damage and the island's water systems was significantly damaged and electricity was scarce. Dominica’s devastation by Maria was complete. Its aftermath left 31 people confirmed dead, 37 missing and an estimated $US1.3 billion in damage. “The mountainous country was left bare and exposed. Rows of houses along the entirety of the coastline were rendered uninhabitable, as widespread floods and landslides littered neighborhoods with the structural remnants. The hurricane also inflicted extensive damage to roads and public buildings, such as schools, stores and churches, and affected all of Dominica's 73,000 residents in some form or way. The air control towers and terminal buildings of the Canefield and Douglas Charles airports were severely damaged, although the runways remained relatively intact. The disaster affected all of the island's 53 health facilities, including the badly damaged primary hospital, compromising the safety of many patients.”1
Impact on the... Productive Sectors The Storms’ damage threatened countries’ food security when key agricultural crops like bananas, plantains and quick growing crops were nearly completely destroyed. The loss of revenue from tourism will not be known for some time but infrastructural damage and loss of income will be substantial as well as the ability to ready the market as a tourism destination for the upcoming season will be near to impossible for some countries. Damage, Losses and Recovery Needs by Productive Sectors, Dominica
Source: Post-Disaster Needs Assessment Hurricane Maria Commonwealth of Dominica
People The passage of the storms and damage left behind to key entities such as schools, health institutions, businesses and homes will have a long-lived physical and emotional toll on the populations that survived their harrowing destruction. The majority of migration from Dominica was to Antigua and Barbuda and other neighbouring countries of Saint Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis. The government of Antigua and Barbuda has borne the responsibility of housing and care of Barbudan evacuees at an estimated cost of $XCD45,000 a week, totalling $XCD11 million to date.
Environment In the immediate aftermath of any catastrophic disaster, the focus is on the land and the people who live in the affected areas. In addition to the impact on humans, the storms’ environmental impact is quite substantial. The storms destroyed so much of the flora on the islands they changed colour: satellite imagery show “burnt” brown from natural green. “The Warbler, endemic to Barbuda numbered less than 2,000 prior to the hurricane and it is currently unknown if any survived the storm. The frigate birds nesting ground in Codrington Lagoon had an estimated 2,500 nesting pairs and was inundated by the storm surge.”2 The lush green rain forests of Dominica has disappeared compromising the biodiversity and ecosystems that once flourished within the canopy. The power of the storms worked like a washing machine and mixed coastal sediments together. This along with floating debris restricts the amount of sunlight that reaches marine habitats and reduces growth and recovery. “Most of the shallow reefs above 45 feed suffered damaged.”3
Road to Recovery While the storm's fury showed nature at its worst, it also brought out the best in us as individuals, communities, nations and institutions in both private and public sectors. The ability of the region to rally and support those affected is a testament to its people and its leaders and speaks to its strength as an integrated region. Relief supplies provided by Member States ranged from technical expertise, security, water, food and critical supplies such as tarpaulins and medical care. The road to recovery will be long for many but hope and goodwill through the demonstrated support of Member States, the wider region and the international community, is felt and appreciated in the hearts of those touched.
“In spite of the devastation that is all around us, it is beautiful to see the first signs of regrowth.” Ambassador Felix Gregoire (Dominica)
The Commission's response to the disasters was immediate. Initial efforts were focused on coordination for relief supplies and tours to the affected areas of Anguilla, Barbuda and British Virgin Islands. Following the passage of Maria the relief efforts became personal to ensure the safety and security of the staff of our Competitive Business Unit, located in Dominica, who were provided with individual emergency supplies. In addition, the Commission was instrumental in supporting the following recovery efforts:
a. Supported Freewinds Cruise rescue teams to Dominica. b. Coordinated the delivery of a 40ft container with 18 pallets of bottled water and other supplies for distribution donated to the Eastern Caribbean States Embassy in Brussels. c. Coordinated with the US for a drone to map areas for landing helicopters. d. Coordinated with Belgium to deploy a Water Purification System capable of purifying 80, 000 liters every 24 hours. e. Coordinated with France for the delivery of 50, 000 water purification tablets. f. Coordinated Venezuelan assistance for helicopters, C130 aircraft with the capacity of 10 tonnes for relief distribution and crew of 14 persons . Government of St. Lucia waived all landing fees, provided a logistical base at Hewanorra Airport and provided all fuel, meals and accommodation for Venezuelan crew. g. Worked with Caribbean Water and Sewerage Association to send crews to assist with restoring potable water supplies. h. Coordinated with American Airlines personnel working on corporate donations.
(L-R) Venezuelan crew with OECS Director General, H.E. Dr. Didacus Jules; Ambassador to the OECS Commission for Grenada, Dr. Patrick Antoine; and Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Saint Lucia, H.E. Mrs. Leiff Escalona Barrueta.
i. Coordinated with Morocco for 7 tonnes of food and medical supplies for Antigua and Dominica each. j. Arranged for a self-sufficient medical mission of 19 Dominican diaspora medical personal with over US$3000 of fresh food in addition to medicines and a mobile clinic. k. Chartered the ship, Black Pearl, to transport a group and supplies to Roseau to assist with clearance of debris. l. Conducted a meeting with government and private sector in Dominica to review reconstruction possibilities. m. Coordinated with Cuba for support for electricity, construction, 20 personnel including epidemiologists, and rescue dogs. n. Facilitated landing permission for Cuban aircraft at Douglas Charles. o. Coordinated with NEMO to forward an Amerijet shipment of medical supplies to Dominica. p. Coordinated with Caribbean Grains for free shipment of flour and feed to Dominica through its sister company Caribbean Line. q. Supported damage assessments and needs analyses for the agriculture sectors of Dominica and Barbuda. r. Arranged for Aid agencies (Crisis Response International, Heartland America and Christian Disaster relief) to engage with Government relief agencies s. Approved and instituted the OECS, UNICEF funded Return to Happiness Programme with seventeen counselling specialists sent to Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands. t. Provided a shipment of 70 types of prescriptive medications for targeted communities in Dominica with the assistance of Dr. Patrick Antoine, Commissioner to Grenada.
u. Facilitated the rental of a boat and the purchase of oxygen supplies to support the creation of a self-sufficient clinic managed by a non-profit organization comprising health professionals from the Dominican diaspora. v. Partnered with ECTEL, Caribbean Supreme Court and the New Zealand Embassy to provide Christmas gifts to over two hundred (200) Dominican children. Snacks were provided by the Commission’s Social Committee. w. Partnered with FAO, CARDI with support from IICA to implement a seedlings project for Dominica. Over 130,000 fast growing seeds of high nutritional value (Kale, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots etc.) were planted for distribution to farmers and individuals to help redevelop Dominica’s food production sector. x. Worked with the Government of Dominica to develop a 12-point recovery plan (see next page)
Dominican Children at the OECS Christmas Toy Drive
Commissioner to the OECS for Dominica, Ambassador Felix Gregoire visits Seedling Project
Seedling Project in Dominica
OECS Christmas Toy Drive
One of many staff donations to Dominica
Dominica: 12 Point Recovery Plan 1. We will seek to stabilize and support demand in the economy. Consequently, while the Government will scale back its expenditures to its revenues where necessary, we will work to maintain government procurement, employment, wages, and routine operations. 2. Preliminary assessments suggest that given what was insured we should expect approximately EC$350m of property and motor insurance payments to be made. We will work with local and international insurance companies and banks to expedite the inflow of these funds at concessionary transaction fees. 3. We will accelerate the re-opening of all ports and the flow of goods through ports. 4. We are working with our development partners to bring in the necessary heavy equipment required to take our clearing efforts to the next level. 5. We will waive taxes and duties on the importation of all food and construction materials for six months. 6. This is a time of great national effort and personal sacrifice. We will not tolerate anyone taking unfair advantage of the situation, from looters to price gougers. 7. We expect businesses, banks and credit unions to reopen as quickly as possible to help normalize the situation. 8. We will urge lending institutions to extend forbearance to their borrowers for six months. 9. We will enforce and if necessary update building codes to ensure that all new construction complies with these codes. We all know the consequences of not doing so. 10. We will facilitate the Social Security Fund offering a voluntary advance of up to $1,000 on non-contributory pension payments. There should be no long-run costs of this measure, but the Government will indemnify the Fund of any costs of doing so. 11. We shall also offer voluntary advances on government salaries of up to $2,000 to help the rehabilitation of homes. 12. We will introduce legislative measures to facilitate the speedy and low-cost establishment of new business.
Institutional Arrangements for Coordination, Communication & Monitoring (transparency & accountability)
Lessons Learned from 2017 Hurricanes After reviewing and analyzing the response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria twenty-six specific lessons learned were identified. These lessons will have an impact on the approach to operational capability and directly affect the overall efficiency and effectiveness of future efforts. These lessons, which flow from the critical challenges encountered are described below: Advocacy Intensify international engagement for climate action and assistance to vulnerable Caribbean SIDS with a focus on: a. Reduction of Greenhouse gas emissions towards 1.50C goal. b. Access to concessionary funding for disaster and adaptation actions Adaptation Institutional Framework
a. Ensure proper application of spatial planning and hazard vulnerability principles for selection of low risk sites. b. Develop, support and implement policy, legislative and institutional frameworks for smart and resilient planning and development. c. Support the upgrading, institutionalization and enforcement of OECS or other appropriate building codes
Capacity Building
a. Strengthen the knowledge, awareness and capacity of building practitioners and material suppliers to apply best practices for construction, including the introduction of a certification regime.
At a critical point in the disaster response phase, the impacted States were unable to accommodate responders coming in from outside. All housing was destroyed and with thousands of locals homeless, there was no possibility of housing the responders coming in.
Future Mechanism: Pre-existing arrangements to utilize a small decommissioned cruise ship or navy personnel carrier to serve as an offshore floating hotel to house responders and cater to their food, housing and other needs while providing service to the affected population.
b. Partner with financiers, insurances and others to incentivize industry professionals, home owners and developers to plan/design and build according to best practices and codes. c. Strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response capacity and organizations at the community and national levels including disaster training simulations in schools, institutions and communities
Infrastructure and Natural Assets a. Increase water security though the design and installation of storage and rain water harvesting (RWH) systems and support integrated watershed management initiatives. b. Pursue greater energy security and reliability by climate proofing distribution infrastructure: build underground where feasible and insure assets. Ensure greater use of indigenous and renewable energy sources and storage, and decentralization of energy generation (i.e. smart and micro grids) – including requisite policy and legislative interventions. c. Governments (including statutory bodies) should set the example by complying with climate smart practices and codes in planning/designing and construction of critical infrastructure such as ports, schools, shelters, bridges, roads and health care facilities.
Disaster Response a. Pre-position food and critical supplies at the community and national level. b. Ensure access to more robust and reliable communication networks and alternatives, such as Short Wave Radios and Satellite phones – including training and mobilization of volunteers and practitioners. c. Pay special attention to Port management and its distribution network/facility to enable quick and effective processing of relief supplies (including personal relief supplies sent by friends and family abroad) and rapid clearance and distribution of containerized relief supplies.
d. Strengthen national disaster management and coordination institutions and create an OECS network among them to more effectively work with wider regional disaster and security institutions. e. Strengthen the coordination capacity and collaboration mechanisms between regional entities such as CDEMA, OECS and RSS and between relevant entities in Member States.
In a severe event, many dimensions of response need to be attended to simultaneously – not only in the affected States but also in the supporting countries.
Future Mechanism: Review composition of National Disaster Response Coordinating bodies to ensure representation of key sectors and presence of essential competencies. Key Sectors: Security Transport Health Commerce Farmers/Fishermen Air/Seaports Fuel Reserves/suppliers Essential Competencies: Logistics Food Supply Management Counselling Nutritionists
f. Develop a predictable framework for access to and mobilization of network of key inter island transportation assets, such as helicopters and amphibian sea craft from the community of islands and neighboring countries with requisite capacity. g. Develop and activate a framework for management of disaster/climate refugees. h. Develop supply routes and partners outside the traditional sources (i.e. Miami
With all communication destroyed in Dominica, the Government was unable for a critical early period to get word out. Through a WhatApp group, Prime Minister Skerritt was able to request that the OECS send security personnel to contain a breakdown of public order. While Caribbean nations responded, there was a lack of clarity about the protocols involved in sending uniformed personnel into sovereign territory.
and Puerto Rico) for food and other trade products as these are also susceptible to similar hazards. Social Safeguards a. Support and strengthen capacity and resources for interventions with vulnerable persons – including “Return to Happiness”.
Future Mechanism: Clarify protocols and ensure that harmonized Disaster legislation in the OECS makes unambiguous provision for activating security and other personnel at short notice and in a context in which communication may be limited or cut off.
b. Establish “food/cash for work” programs to engage unemployed in community clean up and special program of remission of time for misdemeanor prison inmates participating in disaster clean up or recovery efforts. c. Ensure rapid response for food and livelihood security and fast track selfreliance - such as distribution of seedlings for revitalization of agriculture.
Economic Resilience and Sustainability a. Take steps to ensure greater resilience of the key economic sectors – tourism, agriculture, commerce, etc.
OECS Commitment to a Resilient Future The OECS through the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) iLAND Resilience Project responds to climatic challenges experienced in OECS Member States through Sustainable Land Management. Some of the completed works in Member States are highlighted below: Drought Mitigation and Food Security: · Development and installation of solar powered rain water harvesting systems at the Mirabeau Propagation Station and MacDonald College for promotion of water and food security in Grenada. Water Security: · Installation of solar powered, rain water harvesting and micro-irrigation system at the National Trust’s Botanical Gardens in Salem, Montserrat. Flood Mitigation/ Management: · Development and installation of a control mechanism for the inflow and outflow of water at the Sandy Ground Pond in Anguilla. · Construction of flood management and slope stabilization measures for the areas affected by the Collins Ghaut in Montserrat. Slope Stabilization: Implementation of slope stabilization, soil erosion management and flood control measures at Blake's Estate and Duck Pond in Montserrat.
Integrated Watershed and Coastal Management Construction of coastal revetment intervention at Cane Garden Bay in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. · Implementation of slope stabilisation (hard and soft) and flood mitigation measures towards creating a model watershed in an urban/semi-urban area that supports SLM, encompasses the ridgeto-reef concept and seeks to address the adverse impacts of climate change in Corinth, Saint Lucia. · Slope stabilization and erosion control using coastal revetment and bioengineering measures for protection/rehabilitation of degraded lands at New River & Coconut Walk Estates in Nevis.
Revetment Design and Construction at Cane Garden Bay, Tortola which withstood the impact of Hurricane Irma.
Refrences 1. Hurricane Maria: Dominica – Situation Report No. 1 (PDF) (Report). United Nations. September 25, 2017. 2. Lewis, Emma; Sutton, Ann. "After the Storm". BirdsCaribbean 3. Dominicaupdate.com/2017/11/24/dom inica-optimistic-about-hurricane-mariadive-recovery-on-the-way-to-reopenjanuary-2018 4. "Dominica: Hurricane Maria Situation Report No. 11 (as of 16 November 2017)". ReliefWeb. November 16, 2017. 5. "CDEMA - Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency". www.facebook.com. 6. Samuel Oakford (November 24, 2017). "Recovery pledges for hurricaneravaged Caribbean are a drop in the ocean". IRIN. 7. Ouragan Maria: l'État va indemniser les agricultures de Guadeloupe et de Martinique". November 5, 2017. 8. Hurricane Maria: Situation Report #3 (PDF) (Report). Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. September 24, 2017. 9. Costliest U.S. tropical cyclones tables update (PDF) (Report). United States National Hurricane Center. January 12, 2018. 10. "Radio Amateur on St. Lucia relays reports of hurricane devastation on Dominica". St. Lucia News Online. September 19, 2017. 11. Matthew Weaver; Claire Phipps; Sam Levin (September 20, 2017). "Hurricane Maria makes landfall on Puerto Rico – live updates". The Guardian.
12. Gabriel Elizondo (September 25, 2017). "Hurricane Maria turns Dominica into 'giant debris field'". Aljazeera. 13. Dominica: Hurricane Maria (PDF) (Information Bulletin). International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. September 25, 2017. 14. Barbara Marcolini (September 22, 2017). "A Walk Through Dominica, Hours After Hurricane Maria". 15. Tropical Cyclone Maria: Damage Assessment in Pointe Michel, Saint Luke Parish, Dominica. UNITAR’s Operational Satellite Applications Programme (Map). United Nations Institute for Teaching and Learning. September 25, 2017. 16. "Death toll rises in Dominica". Antigua Observer. September 26, 2017. 17. Tropical Cyclone Maria: Damage Assessment in Marigot, Saint Andrew Parish, Dominica. UNITAR’s Operational Satellite Applications Programme (Map). United Nations Institute for Teaching and Learning. September 26, 2017. 18. Post-Disaster Needs Assessment Hurricane Maria, September 18, 2017: A Report by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica 19. Best Practices in Revetment Design and Construction at Cane Garden Bay, Tortola; Smith Warner International Ltd. 20. Colin Mucdoch: Ambassador , Senior Advisor Officer of the Prime Minister: Antigua and Barbuda 21. Claire Phipps; Alan Yuhas; Matthew Weaver. "Hurricane Irma: Florida braces for epic storm as Caribbean death toll hits 23 - latest updates". The Guardian.
FEBRUARY 2018